Wednesday, October 28, 2009

My New Kitchen

Wow! Five years and finally done. I am putting up lots of pictures so you can see what we did. My goal was to have a kitchen that functioned like a fine gourmet kitchen, as I love to cook, and I have a lot of cooking toys to hide. The other thing I wanted was to have a kitchen that looked like a natural part of my 18th C house. I didn't want to see a nice looking old cupboard next to a stainless steel stove. To me that just is too jarring a contrast. So I wanted a calm look featuring old wood surfaces, original paint, antique plaster and the sunlight angling across the old surfaces. No interruptions of modern life visible. Did I succeed? You be the judge.

We added under counter lights to highlight the old pine sheathing we used for back splashes. Can you see the hidden dishwasher, or the Viking cooktop, or the professional range vent?

Here is the hidden dishwasher, next to the soapstone sink.

Here is the counter next to the sink, my favorite part of the whole kitchen. It turns chopping vegetables into a whole new experience, sort of the zen of preparation, if you will.

Here is the cupboard above the cooktop, hiding the vent a hood. But look what is also hides.

Cy built a nice spice cabinet in the shallow space in front of the Faber vent. Handy to have spices right where you use them, by the stove. Yes I know I spent way too much when I treated myself to a shopping trip to Penzeys, www.penzeys.com but what a difference fresh high quality spices make. I think some of my spices were older than my kids! Yikes! Now I can't wait to go back and fill up the shelves.

It's nice to sit at the table and watch the bird feeders in the backyard. Look to the far left, at the tall doors with H hinges. Look at what they hide.

First item on the right is the hidden refrig with radio and speakers above. Gotta have good music when you're working.

Next to that is the cupboard with my Amana convection oven, my micro, and lots of room for small electics, baking pans, etc.

And here, hidden on the side of the refrig, is a space for our new flat screen TV. Who can cook without a glimpse at the TV now and then?

Here is the under counter "dock" to the right of the sink.

Here it is open, home to all sorts of electric gadgets that normally drape themselves all over the counter.

And here is my other favorite thing, the wide plank 18th C chestnut floorboards with original mustard paints. Can you see how they warm up the cool dark brown of the cupboards?

So, how did we do? It is so rewarding to sit in this warm environment where I can eat, cook, work on my computer, watch tv listen to music, do yoga and look out the back door and watch the colored leaves fall. What could be better? Please send me your comments.

All of the work you've done has really paid off, I love the floors, they're truly beautiful.Also love the blog on stone fruit, so much good information. I wish I could have every piece in the treen compote and outside of it too. WOW!!

I would love to be able to hide my appliances but I can't get my husband on board. He complains about a piece I have that hangs about 3.5" over the top of the dishwasher handle that has to be moved in order to open it, so I am sure he would never agree to hidden appliances.What is the color of the paint on your cabinets? How did you make it look worn ?I love it!!Your home is wonderful and should be featured in Jill Peterson's books and magazine!

LOve everything about your new kitchen! I am also a lover and into the old primitive looking house and way of living. I am going to use your idea for the fridge and when I get a dishwasher put in I will do it like you did. LOVE the idea! I live in an 1860 home and try to keep it looking quaint. My home is going to be featured in "a primitive place" coming out this August. A new Magazine. They would love to do a article on your home I`m sure. Stumbled on to your site. What a good find.liz liz

Judi, I want your kitchen and those floors are beautiful! You are right. The room is warm and inviting, extremely functional at the same time those functioning items are housed in primitive colonial beauty. I love that you can sit in your kitchen and feel completely transported to the 18th c, quietly contemplate the wonderful outdoors.....until time to watch the news!:) Thanks again, Judi, your work is exceptional, I can not say more about the make do chair I now own! Thank you, thank you. Pam....Ghost Island Primitives